The Lansing area's jobless rate rose slightly last month from a year earlier.

The state Department of Labor & Economic Growth reported today the rate came in at 6.1 percent in March. That was down from 6.3 percent in February but up from 5.8 percent in March 2007.

Total employment was 235,300 people in March. That was down 1,900 from 237,200 in March 2007, but up 1,000 from 234,300 in February 2008.

The labor force - the number of people working or actively looking for work - fell by 1,200 from a year ago to 250,700 in March. But that was up 600 from a month earlier.

Payroll data shows the area was hit hardest by job losses in the auto industry and construction.

Contact Jeremy W. Steele at 377-1015 or jwsteele@lsj.com.